We will remember them: Royal British Legion to mark VJ Day - The Redditch Standard

We will remember them: Royal British Legion to mark VJ Day

Redditch Editorial 14th Aug, 2020   0

A TWO minutes silence will be held this Saturday, August 15, as Astwood Bank Royal British Legion marks the 75th anniversary of VJ Day.

VJ Day – Victory over Japan, marked the end of the Second World War.

Whilst VE Day (Victory in Europe) marked the end of the war in Europe in May 1945, many thousands were still engaged in bitter fighting in the Far East.

Victory over Japan came at a heavy price, and Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) marks the day it surrendered on August 15, 1945.




Britain and the Commonwealth’s principle fighting force, the 14th Army, was one of the most diverse in history – more than 40 languages were spoken, and all the world’s major religions represented.

Veterans of the Far East campaign will be at the heart of the commemorations as the nation thanks them for their service and sacrifice.


Events will also pay tribute to the tens of thousands of service personnel from across the UK and the Commonwealth who fought and died in the war against Japan, including all those who were held as prisoners of war by the Japanese.

Redditch will be playing its part too.

At Astwood Bank the president of the local branch of the Royal British Legion, Pam Emery, together with chairman Brian Parkinson and standard bearer, George Taylor, will be observing the two minutes’ silence at 11am at the Astwood Bank War Memorial.

“We will be remembering all those who gave their lives for us in a war that was particularly terrible,” said Pam.

Everyone is invited to go along and share the moment provided they observed the Covid-19 rules, especially regarding distancing.

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